Summit County

Utah – Summit County

HENEFER, UTAH

Deputy Sheriff Rodney Badger Gave His Life (SUP #87)Sponsors – Centerville Chapter and Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1998Location –Between Henefer and Echo on Old Highway 30,.7 miles south of Henefer

In 1853 an immigrant family was fording the Weber River, when a woman and four children were thrown from an overturned wagon. Deputy Sheriff Rodney Badger, one of the original pioneers, saved the woman and two of the children, but while searching for the other two children he was overcome by the elements and drowned. On April 26, 1996, 143 years after he gave his life in the line of duty, the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor were awarded to Rodney Badger and given to his descendants by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Under the leadership of Brigham Young, the "Mormon" Pioneers exploring their way to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake passed here July 15 to 20 1847. Orson Pratt's advance company reached here July 15; others followed at intervals. The rear company, including Brigham Young who was ill with mountain fever, encamped near here July 20. The trail turned to the left at this point to avoid Weber Canyon, which was then considered impassable by wagon trains. The Trail ascended Henefer Creek to its head and passed thence into East Canyon, approximately along the route now traversed by the highway.

On July 17, 1847, Brigham Young and the main group of pioneers camped on the east bank of the Weber River, were unable to travel further due to Brigham’s illness. Four members of the Quorum of the Twelve and six other brethren walked two miles from the Temple Camp, ascending the steep “Supplication Hills.” At the top they dressed for temple prayer and pled to the Lord on behalf of President Young and others who were sick in camp, the saints who were following, and for their own wives and children left behind at Winter Quarters. At that time Brigham was given a blessing of health, after which he fell into a deep sleep and awakened feeling much better.

Weber River Crossing & Campsite (SUP #86)Sponsors– Centerville Chapter and Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1998Location –Between Henefer and Echo on Old Highway 30,.7 miles south of Henefer.

The first overland travelers to cross the Weber River were the Harlan-Young, Lienhard, and Donner-Reed parties of 1846. At this crossing, Lansford Hastings left a note telling the Donner-Reed party not to pass through Weber Canyon. As a result of this note, the Donner-Reed Company blazed the trail from Henefer Valley to Salt Lake Valley, which the Mormons followed in 1847 for the next 23 years. Rafts and a ferry were used by the Mormons until a bridge was built in 1859.

SNYDERVILLE, UTAH

In 1850, Samuel Comstock Snyder bought out Parley P. Pratt’s claim of land called “Parley’s Park,” for a yoke of oxen. Samuel and his son Ephraim Stockwell Snyder became the first pioneers to build homes and settle the basin. They built a reservoir, a sawmill, and a gristmill on Spring Creek. Samuel and his brother Chester’s descendants are buried in the Snyderville Cemetery.